Ainsie Plan

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THE AINSLIE PLAN

A Vision for the Future OF THE AINSLIE FOOTBALL PRECINCT

Ainslie Football & Social Club Limited AINSLIEGROUP.COM.AU NS I OO BAL CUB

Acknowledgement of Country

The Ainslie Football and Social Club acknowledges the Ngunnawal people, Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and where we conduct our business.

We also recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.

We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and contribution they make to the life of Canberra and the region.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION II A PLAN FOR A NEW ERA ............... 13

SECTION

SECTION I THE AINSLIE STORY SO FAR ........... 6
3 THE AINSLIE PLAN
III THE AINSLIE PLAN ........................ 17

Our founders had the foresight, and we need the same foresight. What we generate now will sustain us for the next 100 years.

We need to reinvest in the club to invest in the community and supplement the mission to be less reliant on gaming.

Wayne Rogers AFSC President
THE AINSLIE PLAN 4
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The Ainslie Story

So Far
7 6
SECTION I
7 THE AINSLIE PLAN

With the Ainslie Football Club celebrating our centenary in 2027, it’s reassuring that the Ainslie Football & Social Club Board have an unfailing commitment to ensuring the financial sustainability of our Club and in these uncertain times it’s important to have a supportive and strategically focused group to ensure the future sustainability of the Ainslie Group.

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A Club at the heart of the

community

Established in 1927, the Ainslie Football Club (AFC) has a rich and successful history in Australian Rules football. With a legacy spanning 96 years, the AFC is the leading club in the AFL Canberra community, renowned for its numerous Club Championships and Senior Premierships. Furthermore, the club has played a vital role in promoting and advancing women’s AFL, which has become one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia.

In 1957, the Ainslie Football & Social Club (AFSC) was founded on Wakefield Avenue, serving as the main hub for social engagement and financial support, not only for the Ainslie Football Club but also for the local community.

As the AFC approaches its centenary in 2027, it continues to build upon its proud history and aims to solidify its position as the club of choice.

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DINING

RETAIL

LIGHT RAIL

NIGHTLIFE ACCOMMODATION ATTRACTIONS CITY

NORTHBOURNE AVE - 700m / 2min

MACARTHUR VILLAGE - 750m / 3min

DICKSON VILLAGE - 1.2km / 3min

BRADDON DICKSON AINSLIE BRADDON - 1.2km / 3min
NL 11
CITY CENTRE - 1.6km / 4min

This club is a community place, not just a football community place. The sense of family hasn’t changed in 55 years. It has brought children together who otherwise would never have met. The game unites so many and promotes diversity.

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Barbara Marshall Club Patron

A Plan For A New Era

THE AINSLIE PLAN 13
SECTION II

The Club has invested four years developing a masterplan for the land around Alan Ray Oval

THE AINSLIE PLAN 14

The plan includes a contemporary clubhouse, improved oval accessibility, a new grandstand, gymnasium and change-rooms.

The aim is to create a village-like community with various housing options, along with services like childcare and allied healthcare.

The club continues to consult with the local community and ACT Government to ensure a collaborative approach in the development process. The vision is to establish a vibrant community hub that combines sports, social activities and residential living in Canberra’s Inner North.

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The club has always been a strong club, made strong by the people who began it. It has continued with good people throughout its life. This club has been a big part of my life. The great friends I have made over the 70 years can’t be replicated anywhere else.

Barry Browning 1934 – 2021
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AFC & AFSC Life Member

The Ainslie Plan

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SECTION III

The Masterplan

The masterplan for Alan Ray Oval prioritises environmental sustainability and has the potential to establish a benchmark for sustainable urban redevelopment in the inner city.

It seeks to rejuvenate the grounds, enhancing facilities for players and spectators while ensuring accessibility for all people.

The plan aims to create a fresh community destination while preserving the distinctive character of the Ainslie village.

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A Plan For A Sustainable Future

The Ainslie Plan is a transformative initiative that aims to establish a vibrant community hub in Ainslie. It includes the construction of new social club facilities, options for hotel accommodation and importantly, the plan also incorporates diverse housing options including terrace homes and apartments to cater to different generations and promote inclusivity.

Green spaces and trees will be seamlessly integrated with the built environment to create a visually appealing living space. The goal is to create a sustainable community that fosters a sense of belonging and meets the diverse needs of its residents.

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THE AINSLIE PLAN

Opportunities for healthcare and other services to benefit community and village residents

A proposed new and improved clubhouse to better service members and local community groups

Increase in tree canopy coverage through pocket parks and additional planting areas

A range of housing choices including terrace homes and apartments

A proposed new grandstand with attractive and accessible spectator areas

WAKEFIELD AVENUE
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Refurbished oval and player amenities to meet increasing standards and expectations

LIMESTONE AVENUE

ANGAS STREET

Retention and protection of existing healthy perimeter eucalyptus trees

A new child care facility for approximately 100 children

The Ainslie Plan

ALAN RAY OVAL
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The plan in more detail

The Ainslie Plan will be a staged redevelopment of the club’s land surrounding the Alan Ray Oval on the corner of Limestone and Wakefield Avenue in Ainslie.

A New Hub For The Community

Ainslie’s village character is already enriched by local shops offering vibrant spaces for local business. The masterplan seeks to complement the existing shopping centre by introducing new commercial spaces to address specific needs of residents, including potential allied health services.

These commercial spaces will be incorporated within the ground level of the new apartments or club facilities, ensuring age-appropriate amenities.

Adjacent to the current playground on Angas Street, a new childcare centre accommodating approximately 100 children will be established, fulfilling the growing demand from families in the area. The centre is intended to be leased to a long-term external operator.

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Member Facilities

The Plan envisages a new Clubhouse positioned at the entrance of the site, providing upgraded amenities for members and the community. The building will face Wakefield Avenue and foster direct engagement with the oval, creating vibrancy at the centre of the site. Additionally, new hospitality facilities will be introduced, alongside commercial office spaces and Club administration.

The potential for a small boutique hotel exists, offering a revenue stream for the Ainslie Football & Social Club and affordable accommodation options in Canberra’s Inner North area, conveniently located just minutes away from the city.

Sports Facilities

The Club’s objective is to rejuvenate the core of the Australian Rules football scene in the Inner North. The current Ralph Lewis Stand will be replaced by a new grandstand, while preserving the Harry Gaylard Pavilion, resulting in a new regional hub for sports activities.

The grandstand is planned to feature updated change rooms and gym facilities for both male and female players. The landscaping surrounding the oval will be carefully shaped to create natural seating areas beneath the trees.

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New Housing

The rising demand for accessible and suitable housing in the Inner North necessitates the provision of affordable options for aging residents and younger families. The masterplan includes housing provisions that allow residents to downsize affordably while staying within their local community.

Terrace homes and apartments will be strategically located near the Club facilities and around Alan Ray Oval. These 2-3 storey terrace homes will be situated on the current surface car parking area along the northern edge of the oval, embodying the distinctive Ainslie aesthetic and character.

In line with the Australian Liveable Housing Guidelines gold standard, ‘Age in Place’ apartments will be incorporated into the plan, matching the height of the nearby Goodwin aged care facility northeast of the club buildings. These apartments will cater to the needs of older residents, blending harmoniously with the surrounding open space.

Importantly, the public open space surrounding the oval will be preserved, ensuring accessibility for Club members, spectators, coaching staff, and players who will benefit greatly from this investment in Australian Rules football on the site.

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Landscape

Central to the Ainslie Plan is the aim to enhance the existing suburban landscape character while prioritising green and sustainable development. The inclusion of stormwater retention, solar cells, rooftop gardens, and the use of sustainably sourced and recycled materials exemplify this commitment.

To improve public access and connectivity, a network of pathways will be established, facilitating movement through the site and connecting to the public path network. This aligns with the ACT Living Infrastructure Plan and ensures the preservation of existing large street trees whenever feasible. Additionally, the masterplan proposes the introduction of over 200 new trees to enhance urban tree cover and create a verdant and shaded community landscape.

The remodelling of the oval surrounds will focus on creating “spectator friendly” natural terraced seating areas, accompanied by a continuous pathway along the oval’s edge and the addition of new turfed zones. These changes will enhance the overall experience for spectators while harmonising with the surrounding environment.

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The way forward

The Ainslie Plan is a thoughtfully crafted urban design that aims to create an exemplary urban village aligned with the sustainability and green space goals of the ACT Government for future infill development. By focusing development on Limestone Avenue and Wakefield Avenue sides of the precinct, it carefully minimises impact on existing residential areas on Angas Street, preserving the oval’s surrounding landscape and securing the future of Alan Ray Oval itself.

The core design principles of the masterplan address the need for age-appropriate housing in the Inner North, filling a gap that currently exists. Additionally, it provides the club, one of Canberra’s oldest sporting clubs, with an alternative income source to offset the reliance on gaming machine revenue. The introduction of build-to-rent housing and hotel accommodations will generate ongoing income, ensuring the continued support and growth of Australian Rules football on Alan Ray Oval for generations to come.

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The Ainslie Group remains committed to extensive consultation with the community and ACT Government agencies, fostering an inclusive process that ensures a future that strengthens our club, our community, and our home.

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Ainslie Football & Social Club Limited AINSLIEGROUP.COM.AU ANSL FO AL CUB

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